Girlguiding members played a major role in the Isle of Wight Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.
The Isle of Wight was selected to host 1 of 70 nationwide beacons, with members gathering on the downs above Shorwell in the presence of Island President Gioia Minghella-Giddens and her husband Richard, Island Girlguiding Commissioner Linda Stone, and assistant Commissioners Anne Watson and Donna Sanders-Steele. Several members – who had gained the Queen’s Guide Award over the years – also attended. Donna and her husband Alistair built the Beacon and performed the lighting, and all members present enjoyed campfire singing, several donning camp-fire blankets.
Shanklin Brownies, led by Karen Bull, presented a park bench (with Shanklin Town Council) to their community, with Shanklin’s Deputy Mayor Sue Godden and Town Councillor Denyse Larner fixing a plaque and Girlguiding’s Island President in attendance. The bench is a centrepiece to land adopted by the Brownies, where they have planted shrubs, spring bulbs, and trees and litter-pick on a regular basis. Some Brownies dressed in a selection of uniforms covering 70 years. They also organised refreshments and activities for a Jubilee event in Shanklin’s Regent Street.
IW Queen’s Guide Tina Nicholls featured on BBC South Today, recalling her experiences in Buckingham Palace when representing Girlguiding there some time ago. East Cowes Rainbow leader Charlotte Young also represented Island Girlguiding at the Jubilee Pageant in London.
Members from across the Island, representing all sections – Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers – joined Newport’s Jubilee Parade on Saturday afternoon. Hundreds of girls and their leaders – most carrying flags and streamers made at their unit meetings and some wearing uniforms depicting the change of styles over 70 years – formed a large part of the parade. After the parade had dispersed at Newport Quay, Girlguiding members continued to Seaclose Park for a picnic and fun activities organised by Outdoor Advisor Kerry Hiscock.
Girl Guide units will continue the celebrations throughout June with picnics, parties and days out planned.
